Who is Watching How You Cope? Even The Dentist!

Even when we don’t feel like we are coping well, someone is watching, Fiona Burrows shares about an unlikely person–the dentist–who is observing her hope.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Do you have days when you feel like you are making such a mess of your life:

complaining because you are sick of things being as hard as they seem?

not acting towards others as you know you should?

so focused on you–not seeing much else around you?

This was one of those days–or weeks–or months!It’s been seeming harder than “usual” most of this year for me.

It was time for a routine trip to the dentist. Since the time she knew I was being hospitalized a year or so ago, both she and her nurse have always enquired about how my back is and how I’m managing the pain. While you don’t talk much with someone’s hands in your mouth, it seems our relationship has grown since they found out I also, was a Christian last year.

Knowing that we shared that faith, meant that our “how are you going” was on a different level.

This time when she asked, we had more than a few words conversation, even though she was busy. She went on to say how much she admires my attitude to things being difficult; how I manage to still smile; and how I seem to have patience and acceptance of the limitations I face–even as they increase.

I think I laughed and said, “Even if it has taken me 25 years to get there?”

She shared how she was feeling she doesn’t handle stuff as well as she once did–with age or whatever, yet she sees me having to handle more and more.

It seemed that my attitude had been witnessing to them long before they knew I was a Christian. On that day, I came away encouraged because it seemed I was reflecting a good attitude–how my faith keeps me striving to get through another day with God’s help.

Maybe I wasn’t making such a mess of life that day.

Prayer: Father, we just never know what others are seeing–on the good, or the bad days–help us to reflect You and the difference You make in our lives, to those we are in contact with and may we point them towards You. Amen.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He is teaching her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.

Are there times when you know your attitude hasn’t been the greatest? Have you seen how that affects others around you, for good or bad?

This is a great video about what our legacy will be. Are we impacting people’s life and showing them Jesus’ love whole we are here on earth? It is easy to forget that people like even our dentist and doctors are influenced by us–especially since they know how much we suffer. This is a group I like, Sidewalk Prophets as they sing “Live Like That.” Bless you! -Lisa

13 Responses to Who is Watching How You Cope? Even The Dentist!

So often I know I fall short because of pain and fatigue but I thank God for His mercy, grace and love. Others are not always understanding.
I liked the song, Lisa. That’s still my desire, to be like Him!

Hi Lucille, I think that’s what makes it so wonderful sometimes when you realise that God is still able to use us in our pain and fatigue. Even if sometimes we don’t know that till well after the event.
Blessings,
Fiona 🙂

Thank you, Fiona, for this wonderful, timely and gentle reminder about the often unseen influence of our attitudes.

Yesterday we were studying Phil. 2:4, and your devotional today continues to speak to me on that same theme. I’m really trying to let God guide me through this new life that is mine. Less of me and more of Him!

Fiona as always your devotional is so appropriate to what life is bringing my way. Its funny as just this am was talking to a friend who called. And she made the comment that even though it has been an extremely difficult time I could still laugh or joke about stuff. I had to confess that that was not always my reaction unfortunately. Often I have failed in that respect. But I appreciate that you showed us often how we perceive ourselves and the way others do can be much different. What is best of all is I know God does not look at all my faults and failure but he looks at my heart and my desire to be his and to learn how even in this season of pain to be a reflection of Him. Thank you Fiona for your encouragement and for sharing. Diane

As I read your devotional I was reminded of the perseverance it takes to live day in and day out in pain and you have been living in pain for many years. Who is to say the influence you have made as you have interacted with others and they have been blessed.

I think God blinds us, at times, from too many human responses for He wants us to depend on His attention first of all. But to have the feedback you did from your dentist – at a time when God knew you were feeling extra low and challenged – is surly a praise and thanks for His timing.

I know that there will be other times with this dentist ( for the door has been opened for sharing ), as well as with others that you encounter.

Fiona, Thank you for a very special devotional. I had a similar reaction from my Neurologist, just last month. It is only by keeping our eyes on Jesus that we can come to the place where we have an attitude and demeanor that draws others to what we have. For it is when our eyes are on Jesus, that we cannot have our eyes on our selves.

I so clearly remember a time when I was stuck in the ‘why’ mode about my illness. The Lord gave me an answer unexpectedly as usual. The receptionist at my specialists office asked me how I did it. Kept polite and pleasant when my disease at that point was at the worst she had ever seen of even heard of. She told me they get many calls a day from crying, angry, swearing, demanding people with far less ulcerations than mine yet I was their quietest most easily pleased patient. I was stunned until the Holy Spirit smacked me on the head and reminded me it was an invitation to give God the Glory. I did not need a fancy sermon, all I said was “the difference is Christ Jesus”. Her emphatic response was the kicker: “WELL I GUESS SO!” . From then on I realized that more people are watching and listening to what I do even when I am unaware of it.

Jennifer,
Thanks for your comment – it really is an ongoing battle to reflect that “Less of me and more of Him” – encouragement for your journey as you keep open to God’s guiding.

Diane,
It seems that often many of us are walking the same path! How lovely that you had that friend share her encouragement with you. Yes, there is often such a difference between what we see of ourselves, what others see and ultimately what God sees. May you continue to be an encouragement in your attitude to all you are dealing with.

Lynn,
I liked the idea you shared – “I think God blinds us, at times, from too many human responses for He wants us to depend on His attention first of all.” – that stops us from getting prideful, not recognising where our strength really comes from.
I may even look forward to seeing my Dentist again – at least in some ways!
Thanks for your encouragement.

Sandy,
So glad you’ve had that encouragement from your Neurologist – I’m sure they see your faith shining through your difficult situation.
How true, your words that when our eyes are on Jesus, they are not on us – worth remembering.

Elizabeth,
How true, that many are watching when we don’t know. Your comment made me think about how so many Receptionists have to put up with patients being rude and demanding. I like to try to remember that even if I’ve been waiting for ages for my Doctor, it’s not the Recptionist’s fault. It shouldn’t take too much effort to be polite, but many times it does. That’s only about common courtesy, how much more important is it to be showing “the difference is Christ Jesus”.

Praying God will bless each of you as you continue to shine your light (the light of Jesus) in the places He calls you to be.
Fiona

Soooo special for that relationship to build…..giving God the glory & you the encouragement, while helping the dentist!! Wonderful to read it Fiona! Will be wonderful to see where this leads.

I’ve had a similar response from the receptionists at the doctor’s clinic, where I’ve sometimes been forgotten! One night they were getting ready to close up & hadn’t realized I was there! I tend to zzzzz out at the other end of the waiting room, where it’s quieter & darker. Quite funny really. They were so sweet & apologetic. You never know who’s watching. God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn

Thanks Kerryn,
I actually got forgotten at this Dentist’s some time ago – but I wasn’t asleep, just quietly waiting…….without complaining!

This experience made me think about how we respond differently to the “how are you doing” question when we are talking to Christians, or those who have no idea what a difference faith can make to us. A bit like an experience I had with a Psychologist who wasn’t a Christian and it felt like he was only seeing one part of me, without acknowledging the faith part.

You do never know who’s watching and what they are “seeing” in what they interpret.
Blessings,
Fiona

Fiona, I think we all learn to have much more patience through illnesses. Actually I don’t sleep there, just “zone out”…..I know the sound of my doctor’s footsteps, so only open my eyes when I hear them! 🙂

Surely a Psychologist would understand that the spiritual nature in a person can be very important. My Dr isn’t a Christian, but I always talk about how God is helping me…..I just can’t discuss things without bringing God into it or it’s like leaving some limbs behind!! God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn

I listen with a headset to laugh-aloud funny books or pod casts when I am in the waiting room and in the dental chair. I try not to get to the appointment too early, as sitting in the waiting room can increase my anxiety. And while waiting, I practice relaxation breathing. 🙂 Great read!

Well, I can still remember the day when I was asked to get my decay tooth removed by our dentist I was very cared. However, I am a huge fan of music and rock music keeps my pain away. No matter how it is.